When body, breath and awareness are aligned, a certain kind of magic happens. Distraction falls away and all of you comes together into a greater whole. The posture not only stretches [and strengthens] you in just the right place, it teaches you something about yourself - Yoganand Michael Carroll

Remaining in or returning to presence, and being willing to meet our felt sense experience of the moment by moment unfolding of ourselves and the world is a key aspect of a life lived in yoga... For the next few weeks we'll be exploring a simple (but not always easy) method which comes from Kripalu yoga for helping us to be where, when and as we are.

From Richard Faulds: ...the practice of being present is [our] lantern, a core technique [we] can always come back to when [we] have lost [our] way, a practice [we] can rely on in times of challenge. It consists of the following steps: BREATHE, RELAX, FEEL, WATCH, ALLOW....over time it becomes second nature.

Take a moment to practice right this moment. Let your breath flow naturally in and out, and soften your body , mind and heart just a little.... Feel for all the sensations that are moving through you with all your senses and in all directions neither exaggerating nor resisting them... Bear witness to your experience as it is, without interpretation or story. While what is happening may require a skilful response at some time in the future, release the need, just for now, to change the experience or yourself in any way...

Enjoy your explorations!

Author

Misha Butot RCSW, ERYT 500 is a longtime clinical social worker and senior yoga teacher living in Victoria, BC